We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Sunday, June 22nd
Target Test Prep differentiates itself from competitors in its range of high-quality offerings, simultaneously providing some of the best value for self-led GMAT test prep, and some of the most premium tutoring services. With an easily navigable user-interface, well-explained offerings, and something available for most test prep needs, here's what you'll get with Target Test Prep.
An excellent self-led plan
Target Test Prep's self-led plan is one of the best out there. Whether you pay $149 per month, or $449 for 4 or 6 months, you'll get access to 3,000 quant and 1,000 verbal practice GMAT questions, 800 quant and 400 verbal videos lead by GMAT instructors, a personalized study plan, a "GMAT practice test engine”, intelligent metrics and error analysis, general test-taking tips for GMAT logic traps, live expert support, a 110-point score guarantee, and - depending on your plan - no recurring payments. If you're unsure about purchasing Target Test Prep's self-led plan, you can purchase a 5 day trial for $1.
Mid- to premium live-online and tutoring classes
Target Test Prep's live-online course is similarly priced to competitors at $1,599, and integrates with their self-led platform. If you purchase the live-online classroom plan, you'll get personalized homework, live-interactive class time with your instructor, and access to a classroom Slack channel to strategize and review with your classmates. In contrast, Target Test Prep's tutoring services are decidedly premium. At $350 per hour, you will get personalized attention from an expert tutor, but they do not include their self-study course for what you pay, even though they recommend it as part of their tutoring. Target Test Prep's tutoring is undoubtedly high-quality, but may not be for those looking for budget tutoring services.
Reasonable trial and score guarantee policies
Target Test Prep's refund and trial policies are reasonable and customer-first, which we strongly appreciate. Not only do they explicitly state that they will never automatically bill you after the 5-day trial period ends, but their score guarantee is reasonable as well. Promising a 110+ score increase if you originally scored below a 560, you just need to email Target Test prep your original score, complete all homework and assignments in your plan (which can be difficult), and email the new GMAT score. While we would've liked some leeway in the amount completed to achieve eligibility for a refund, all in all Target Test Prep seems to have some well-rounded customer-centric policies in place.
Stellar customer reviews and helpful staff
Customer reviews for Target Test Prep tend to be excellent across multiple feedback sites, and this includes the GRE Prep Club: a private forum dedicated to GRE and GMAT prep. In addition, Target Test Prep is both well-regarded on major GMAT study forums, and is very active therein, providing helpful hints and directions to useful resources unaffiliated with their service. In short, they prove themself professional and helpful in their course offerings, their policies, and in their general activities online.
A well-earned first-place recommendation
At Top Consumer Reviews we are suspicious as to claims of quality, but in Target Test Prep's case they have earned the highest praise. With a wide-range of excellent test prep offerings, live support, respectable score-guarantees $1 trial policies, and their active support and advising of GRE and GMAT students in general, Target Test Prep has done the work to earn our strongest recommendation. They earn the #1 spot on our list among GMAT test prep options.
The question is a critical one, because choosing the right study schedule and test prep materials can make-or-break your plans for a good GMAT score, and - subsequently - admittance into a prestigious (or even standard) MBA school. In fact, 9 out of 10 new MBA enrollments are made using a GMAT score, and it's accepted by more than 7,000 programs around the world.
Although it is still widely used, keep in mind that some MBA programs utilized the pandemic to phase out their standardized testing requirements. If you're focusing on one particular school, it might be wise to check their requirements. If they likely still use the GMAT, the materials you'll find here will go a long way towards simplifying your test prep decision making process.
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is meant to assess an applicant's general suitability for graduate study, particularly in regards to business and MBA performance. The GMAT distinguishes itself from the more generalized GRE insofar as its quantitative reasoning assessments are much more in-depth, and it de-emphasizes verbal reasoning assessment.
The GMAT consists of four sections: an Analytical Writing Assignment (AWA) that lasts 30 minutes, a multiple choice Integrated Reasoning (IR) section that consists of 12 questions and lasts 30 minutes, a Quantitative section of 31 questions that lasts 62 minutes, and a Verbal section of 36 questions that lasts 65 minutes. In short the test is extensive, and as such it will pay dividends to make some common sense preparations and study plans beforehand.
In spite of what some of the advertisements might say, there is no magic bullet to an improved GMAT score. While some highly rated test prep materials can certainly help, they are only one half of the equation, the other half being a realistic assessment of your needs, your timeframe, and the work needed to reach your goals. As you search for some appropriate GMAT prep that fits your budget and timeframe, it is important to take a deep breath and remember that - as long as you put in the work - you will in all likelihood improve your score.
In any case, as you start preparing for the GMAT gauntlet, here are some tips we've found for you to keep in mind:
Searching for test preparation materials is often - let's be frank - a terrible experience. The field of GMAT test prep hosts an entire industry sustained by the dangling of higher-test scores in front of often financially-insecure graduates behind huge costs. Even so, there are good companies out there offering reasonably priced and well-supported GMAT materials. Here at Top Consumer Reviews, we've done the legwork to help you find them. So, while searching for GMAT test prep is certainly not fun, we're certain that our curated list of high-quality and well-rounded test prep will help make the process a whole lot easier.
Select any 2 GMAT Test Prep Courses to compare them head to head